A method for harnessing wave energy includes providing a vehicle to a body of water, the vehicle. The method includes submerging the vehicle to a depth in the body of water. The method includes operating the motor-generator of the vehicle in the first quadrant of the motor-generator. The method includes detecting a phase of a wave in the body of water based information from the processor of the detected phase. The method includes orienting the vehicle to lag the phase of the wave based on the detected phase of the wave. The method includes synchronizing an inertial acceleration of the vehicle to movement of the wave. The method includes switching the motor-generator to the second quadrant for generation mode to convert energy from the movement of the wave to electrical energy. The method includes storing the energy from the wave in the rechargeable battery source.

Systems and methods for use in capturing energy from natural resources. In one form, the systems and methods capture energy from natural resources, such as movement of fluid in a body of water, and convert it into electrical energy.

A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.

A wave energy converter generates power from a wave-induced separation of a positively buoyant flotation module and a submerged negatively buoyant mass, using a rotating pulley to drive a power-take-off system.

A method for driving a transmission mechanism output power in response to an anticipated fluid-pressure gradient field is provided. The method includes sensing the change of direction of pressure gradient field at a desired location from the different area of the transmission mechanism within fluid. The method further includes constructing fluid-pressure gradient field based upon isolation-fluid apparatus or low-density fluid space installed on a transmission mechanism within fluid.

In one aspect, a device comprises a means for generating an aerostatic force exclusive of a buoyancy force acting on the device, wherein the aerostatic force acting on the device is a significant portion of a total force acting on the device due to the aerostatic force exclusive of a buoyancy force, a reaction force, and a buoyancy force. In another aspect, a device includes a cavity with a first internal pressure of a first fluid, and a plurality of conduits extending from the cavity to an environment outside of the device with a second pressure different from the first pressure, wherein fluid flows through the plurality of conduits, and an aerostatic force exclusive of a buoyancy force acting on the device is greater than a reaction force acting on the device due to the fluid flow or is a substantial portion of the total force acting on the device.

A wave energy converter generates power from a wave-induced separation of a positively buoyant flotation module and a submerged negatively buoyant mass, using a rotating pulley to drive a power-take-off system.

A wave energy converter generates power from a wave-induced separation of a positively buoyant flotation module and a submerged negatively buoyant mass, using a rotating pulley to drive a power-take-off system.

A piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus includes a housing and a piezoelectric module disposed in the housing. The piezoelectric module includes a piezoelectric wafer unit and a clamp unit clamping the piezoelectric wafer unit. A resilient member is connected between the clamp unit and an inner wall of the housing to transmit an oscillation movement to the clamp unit, which in turn causes oscillation of the piezoelectric wafer unit for generating an electric power. An impact unit extends movably into the housing and is capable of pushing the clamp unit against the resilient member when being subjected to an ambient natural force such that the resilient member generates the oscillation movement.

A method for driving a transmission mechanism output power in response to an anticipated fluid-pressure gradient field is provided. The method includes sensing the change of direction of pressure gradient field at a desired location from the different area of the transmission mechanism within fluid. The method further includes constructing fluid-pressure gradient field based upon isolation-fluid apparatus or low-density fluid space installed on a transmission mechanism within fluid.